MBTA sets ridership record

BOSTON — Rising gas prices sent commuters flocking to the MBTA in record numbers over the last 12 months.

The transit system released figures Monday showing that nearly 375 million people took public transportation in fiscal 2008, a 6 percent increase from the previous year and the highest ridership figure ever.

The MBTA said the largest increases came in riders on buses and light rail, such as the Green Line.

MBTA General Manager Daniel Grabauskas told The Boston Globe that the extra fares aren't enough to solve all the agency's financial problems. The T was forced to deplete much of its reserves to bridge a $75 million dollar budget gap for the new fiscal year.